Himachal Slaps Widow and Orphan Cess on Petrol, Diesel

In Himachal Pradesh, a state in India, the government has started charging a little extra money on every litre of petrol and diesel that people buy.

This extra charge is called the 'Widow and Orphan Cess.'

The government says the money will go into a special fund to help widows and children who have lost their parents.

But the tax is paid by everyone who buys fuel, including widows, families raising orphaned children, taxi drivers, and farmers.

Some people, like fuel dealers and opposition politicians, say this is not fair and worry that drivers will buy cheaper petrol in nearby states instead.

The government needs the money because it owes a lot of debt and expects to receive less help from the central government of India, which has already led to delayed salaries for state workers.

Right now the extra charge is 60 paise per litre, but the law allows the government to charge up to Rs 5 per litre later.

The chief minister says the government is committed to helping weaker sections and that the opposition should support the move.

A few other states in India already charge extra money on fuel for things like roads and pensions, but Himachal's is the first such cess set up especially for widows and orphans.